The “Nine Old Men” of Disney Animation, and Lists of their Significant Works

In the early days of The Walt Disney Company, the central core of their animation department was composed of nine animators. These nine would work on some of the classical entries of the Disney Canon, eventually graduating to become directors and tutors for the next generation of the studio’s animators.

All of these Nine Old Men of Disney Animation have long since left us, although they are honored and remembered as Disney Legends in their company’s hall of fame. Today we’ll list the Nine Old Men along with the Disney animations where they did significant work, especially specific characters.

Eric Larson (1905-1988) – became trainer for new Disney animators in the 1970s

Song of the South (1946) – Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox, Brer Bear

Peter Pan (1953) – flight over London

Lady and the Tramp (1955) – Peg the Pekingese

The Jungle Book (1967) – the vultures

Les Clark (1907-1979) – with Ub Iwerks, primary animator for Mickey Mouse; animated up to Lady and the Tramp; became director

Milt Kahl (1909-1987)

Pinocchio (1940) – main character

Melody Time (1948) – Slue-Foot Sue in “Pecos Bill” segment

Peter Pan (1953) – main character

The Sword in the Stone (1963) – Madam Mim

The Jungle Book (1967) – Shere Khan

The Aristocats (1970) – Edgar the butler

Robin Hood (1973) – Sheriff of Nottingham

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977) – Tigger

The Rescuers (1977) – Madam Medusa

Wolfgang Reitherman (1909-1985) – took over as producer after Walt Disney’s death until retirement